BELLIGERENCE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does belligerence mean? 

• BELLIGERENCE (noun)
  The noun BELLIGERENCE has 2 senses:

1. hostile or warlike attitude or nature

2. a natural disposition to be hostile

  Familiarity information: BELLIGERENCE used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BELLIGERENCE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Hostile or warlike attitude or nature

Classified under:

Nouns denoting feelings and emotions

Synonyms:

belligerence; belligerency

Hypernyms ("belligerence" is a kind of...):

enmity; hostility; ill will (the feeling of a hostile person)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "belligerence"):

warpath (hostile or belligerent mood)

Derivation:

belligerent (characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A natural disposition to be hostile

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

aggressiveness; belligerence; pugnacity

Hypernyms ("belligerence" is a kind of...):

disagreeableness (an ill-tempered and offensive disposition)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "belligerence"):

bellicoseness; bellicosity (a natural disposition to fight)

truculence; truculency (obstreperous and defiant aggressiveness)

Derivation:

belligerent (characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight)

 Context examples 

The look of horror on Martin's face stirred Mrs. Morse to belligerence.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)